Jude Law's Dr. Faustus is coming to Broadway as well. Was surprised, as it seems this one got rather negative reviews in London.

Jude Law's Dr. Faustus is coming to Broadway as well. Was surprised, as it seems this one got rather negative reviews in London. Evelyn loved it and I rather take her word. Let us know when you get the dates, Mari, thanks!

I saw Dr. Faustus last month and thought whole production was terrific, especially Richard McCabe. Interesting that they are bringing it to NY. I have a hard time seeing Christopher Marlowe win over Broadway, but I could be wrong.

A belated Happy Birthday Laura.

Nice interview with our Moral Man, Jim Caviezel, in the Sunday Times. (Moon, he was the Count of Monte Cristo). http://www.sunday-times.co.uk/article/0,,187-262610,00.html

(Moon, he was the Count of Monte Cristo). Wow, thanks, Mari! To read the article we sign in as member. I don't remember my ID and don't want to sign in again. Can you post it here, Mari?

Anything for my Moon!:-) He sounds like a lovely man. Cover story: Film: Jim Caviezel Jim Caviezel wants to be in movies like the ones they made in the 1940s. Can Hollywood handle �the last good man�, asks Garth Pearce He�s a real man, not a pretty boy, who will be doing his best work from now onwards,� says the director Kevin Reynolds of his latest prot�g�. �He will be one of our biggest stars.� Coming from the man who discovered Kevin Costner in the 1980s, this prediction can�t be dismissed lightly. The actor in question, Jim Caviezel, visibly squirms at these words of praise from the director of his latest film. At 6ft 1in, Caviezel is exactly the same height as Costner, but, at 32, 15 years younger. �I am always grateful to those who have faith in me,� he says, calmly. �But if there is to be progress of any sort, I have to deliver it myself. I am relying on good scripts and offers, just like anyone else.� This is the kind of modesty that has already set Gentleman Jim apart in Hollywood. He�s the man who asked Jennifer Lopez, of all people, to cover her breasts in a love scene, because he did not want to offend his wife. His heroes are good old boys like James Stewart and Gary Cooper, who could tell a story without sex on the screen and drugs off it. �When Clark Gable swept Vivien Leigh off her feet in Gone With the Wind and took her up the stairs, everyone knew what was about to happen,� he reasons. �But we did not need to see them in bed together. She wore a look of total satisfaction in the next scene, which said it all. I want to get back to telling those sorts of stories in that kind of way. �Did we see Gregory Peck with his pants around his ankles? Did Spencer Tracy have to do a naked scene with his leading lady to help the story along? I don�t think Cary Grant took anything off other than his shirt. Humphrey Bogart did not have to show his love for Ingrid Bergman by fondling her body in Casablanca. These guys made some of the best films ever, but I cannot remember seeing a naked breast in any of them.� This, of course, is not the sort of language much understood these days at the power lunches in Beverly Hills. Caviezel is talented beefcake, and offers have come in for him with scenes that do not delicately fade at the bedroom door. But he has turned them down. He�s also far too discreet to name them. It is fitting, then, that he�s starring next as a swashbuckling hero, the Count of Monte Cristo. The classic Alexandre Dumas story, with its eventual triumph of right over wrong, was first made famous on film in 1913, when James O�Neill � father of the American playwright Eugene � was the star. The new version, with a winning performance from Caviezel, is packed with old-fashioned charm and decency. Caviezel plays a dashing young sailor, Edmond Dant�s, who wants nothing more than a peaceful life and marriage to the beautiful Merc�d�s (Dagmara Dominczyk). But he is deceived by his best friend, Fernand (Guy Pearce), who wants Merc�d�s for himself, and is unlawfully sentenced to an infamous island prison, where he is trapped for 13 years. With the help of another inmate Abb� Faria (Richard Harris), he trains in swordsmanship and finally escapes. He then discovers long-lost treasure and transforms himself into the mysterious count. Then begins his revenge on those who manipulated and enslaved him. Caviezel witnessed some manipulation of his own four years ago in the wake of his starring role in the second world war story The Thin Red Line, after winning top billing from nowhere. �My hopes were raised, but nothing came of it.� In what was the first film from the director Terrence Malick for years, he more than held his own with established Hollywood men like Sean Penn, Nick Nolte, John Cusack, George Clooney and Woody Harrelson. But the film failed to win any of its seven Oscar nominations, and Caviezel�s profile has been on slow burn ever since, rather than hot. �I expect any sort of success to take a long time, with a lot of hard work,� he says. �Acting was never in my plans, and it�s a surprise to have come this far.� Caviezel was a basketball athlete from Mount Vernon, Washington state, whose only acting skill was mimicking others in the locker room. But, after injury and a knee operation, he started to think about a change of career. �I remember in 1990, after watching Ghost, I thought: �That is the kind of thing I want to do.� I told my dad, who is a chiropractor, that I was going to take some acting lessons, and he said: �You don�t want to get involved in that crap.�� Caviezel senior sounds even more down to earth than his son. �I thought he was right,� he says, �but felt I needed to give it a chance. So I gave it a shot, and one afternoon, in Seattle, a woman stopped me in the street and said: �Young man � you are going to be a movie star.� She was an agent who had apparently seen me in an acting class. I signed up with her there and then.� But Caviezel�s move to Los Angeles was not exactly covered in glory. �I screwed up all over the place � at auditions, readings and castings. I stayed in a spare room of a friend and gave myself six months to get something.� He was saved by, of all things, Wyatt Earp, when he was given his debut in the 1994 Kevin Costner version. His name came in 23rd on the cast list. �It was a start, so I could stay in Hollywood and plan,� he says. And what were his first impressions of sin city, with its ample helpings of sex, drugs and rock�n�roll? �My Catholic faith kept me centred,� he shrugs. �I never force it on anyone, and it was never forced on me. The Lord�s Prayer, �Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil�, says it all. I am not influenced by what I am seeing around me.� So what do we have here? Mary Poppins in a jock strap? On meeting him in a London hotel suite, I admit to a fleeting shiver at the sight of a man in a dark suit and tie, with a neat haircut, reassuring smile and open handshake. But there was no evidence of a religious pamphlet in the extended hand, and beneath his apparently quiet demeanour lurks an appealing dry wit. He doesn�t take himself too seriously. He comes alive, though, when talking about his wife, Kerri, a 31-year-old former English teacher whom he met on a blind date after one of his three sisters telephoned him in Los Angeles and predicted: �Jim � I�ve just met your future wife.� He says, approvingly: �Kerri is very reserved. Her father�s side of the family is Croatian, and her mother�s side is English. My way � the American way � is to be very welcome and open, until anyone shows us differently. The English way is to learn things first and then, maybe, they open up. So this was Kerri�s way. She was thinking: �I don�t know whether I can trust this guy.�� But she trusted him enough a few months later, by accepting a marriage proposal that could have come from a film script. Caviezel had lined up an exclusive restaurant in California, which neither had been in before. �A friend of mine is a magician, and he taught me how to misdirect Kerri, to make her think that it was her idea to go there,� he recalls. �This is possible to do, believe me, but I can�t divulge how, because such tricks are supposed to remain a secret within the magic circle. � She picked the restaurant, as I had planned. We walk in and I�ve already booked the perfect table. She says: �How great, this is the only one that is free.� I then slip the waiter the engagement ring. When he brought the desserts, they had silver dishes on top. She lifted hers � and there was the ring in the middle of the plate. I asked: �Will you marry me?� She burst into tears and said: �Yes.� My only regret is that I didn�t get down on one knee.� But there can be little argument that he�s worshipped at her feet ever since. When Jennifer Lopez was about to disrobe for a love scene with him in last year�s Angel Eyes, he quietly asked her to cover up. �I told her I wanted to respect my wife � and her,� he relates. �The only bare breasts I want next to me in my life belong to Kerri.� And what was the reaction of La Lopez? �She was great about it,� he says. �She has a sense of humour and passion in everything she does. Okay, she�s a diva � but she is a funny diva. And she treats people well on a film set: the crew, the guys that do the tough jobs, the drivers, the assistants, which you don�t always get. Sometimes I am disgusted by the behaviour I see.� Anyone in particular? Since Caviezel is such an honest Jim, he cannot tell a lie. He politely asks that his remarks be off the record, then proceeds to deliver such a broadside against a Hollywood star with whom he worked, with dates and details of the tantrums, lies and deceit, that my fingers itch to type in the name right here and now. �It was,� he says, �the worst experience of my entire life.� But that life, on the whole, has been blessed. Since The Thin Red Line, he�s starred in Ang Lee�s US civil war drama, Ride With the Devil, and also in Frequency, a much underrated film in which he played the son of Dennis Quaid, who talks to him from beyond the grave, on an old radio. He�s also played a soldier in one of Ridley Scott�s rare flops, GI Jane, and had an appearance, thankfully small, in Ed, a film about a baseball-playing chimpanzee that was another attempt to propel Matt LeBlanc from Friends to film stardom. It won the 1996 Golden Raspberry Awards for worst picture. Caviezel has not suffered any raspberries since, with the highly rated Twentieth Century Fox thriller, High Crimes, co-starring Ashley Judd, coming this summer. He did have a moment of serious doubt, however, on narrowly losing out to Billy Crudup for the lead in the Stephen Frears film The Hi-Lo Country. �I remember thinking: �I could be just one of those many casualties in this business and not quite make it,� � he says. �I would have figured out something else to do to make a living. But I am just not sure what.� The Count of Monte Cristo opens on Friday www.caviezelcountry.com The man�s so big, it seems he�s a country

Thanks, Mari! He�s a real man, not a pretty boy I admit to a fleeting shiver at the sight of a man in a dark suit and tie, with a neat haircut, reassuring smile and open handshake. Yes! So much for that Armani, black tee look. He�s the man who asked Jennifer Lopez, of all people, to cover her breasts in a love scene, because he did not want to offend his wife. That is so sweet! �My Catholic faith kept me centred,� he shrugs. �I never force it on anyone, and it was never forced on me. The Lord�s Prayer, �Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil�, says it all. I am not influenced by what I am seeing around me.� It is wonderful to hear someone speak in a positive light about religion in this secular world. My compliments. My only regret is that I didn�t get down on one knee.� But there can be little argument that he�s worshipped at her feet ever since. I think I have a mini-crush on this guy. He politely asks that his remarks be off the record, then proceeds to deliver such a broadside against a Hollywood star with whom he worked, with dates and details of the tantrums, lies and deceit, that my fingers itch to type in the name right here Any guesses Inspector R? ;-)

What I liked about the article when I skimmed over it last night was Caveziel's rationale and all the examples from the old, classic movies. It's true, those actors were sexy without baring skin, sleeping in twin beds, wearing both parts of a PJ set, and keeping one foot on the floor at all times. One can even overlook the insipid shots of waves crashing on the surf or curtains flapping around the window. If I were his wife, I'd be thrilled to pieces with his attitude: the only breasts he wants pressed against him are his wife's. (Moon) Any guesses Inspector R? Wouldn't have a clue.

Paltrow takes sides in Plath vs. Plath Gwyneth Paltrow is a strong bet to take the role of tragic American poetess Sylvia Plath in "Ted and Sylvia," which Ruby Films is developing with BBC Films to shoot later this year. Pawel Pawlikowski ("Last Resort") is attached to direct. It's the story of Plath's marriage to English poet Ted Hughes, which ended in her suicide. "Monsoon Wedding" helmer Mira Nair is attached to direct a rival Plath script by Dana Stevens, which U.S. producers Nina Sadowsky and Michael London are developing out of turnaround from Warner.

"Monsoon Wedding" helmer Mira Nair What? Mira is breaking out? What will we do without her colorful modern India references? ;-) I thought MW was a drawn out soap opera. Good colors though. Now if you want to see a BRILLIANT film go see HUMAN NATURE. I strongly recommend you see it. It is a satire, and ultimately the parody of a satire. It works. Rhys I's acting is superb.

Look, even his protest pal is working: Prime Minister Tony Blair's father-in-law has been signed up for a part in TV show The Bill. Actor Tony Booth, 70, is currently filming scenes as the warden of an old people's home in the episodes, to be screened this summer. Booth, Cherie Blair's father, is best known for his role as Alf Garnett's son-in-law in 1960s sitcom Til Death Us Do Part. His most recent role was in Channel 5 soap Family Affairs, and he is also a vociferous campaigner for pensioners' rights.

Look, even his protest pal is working: One of our favourite family games when we go to the theatre is to look through the cast resumes and see how what percentage of them have appeared in the Bill. Usually it is about 50% ;-) And I do very much hope that Colin does not count Tony Booth amongst his real pals. That would definitely end my CF obsession.

Jeff Bridges is so damn cool!:-) Check out his site: Jeff Bridges says he's addicted to the internet Jeff Bridges says he's hooked on emailing and the internet. The star of K-Pax says he treats his own website like a work of art. JeffBridges.com includes movie trailers and some of the actor's photographs and art. Bridges says: "I really enjoy treating the website like another art form. It's a way of communicating with the world and expressing yourself like a painting. "Some of my photos and art are on there. It's kind of a wonderful thing." You can see Bridges talking about the film and his website in an online interview. It is available to watch in Real Media and Windows format.

Maybe Matt should check with Evelyn about the food... Matt Damon has been turned away from one of London's most famous restaurants. He turned up at The Ivy with co-stars from his play This Is Our Youth to celebrate their first day off rehearsals. But he was told by managers at the restaurant he could only get a table for four. The group of nine, which included the late River Phoenix's sister Summer and Ben Affleck's brother Casey, decided to dine at Sheekey's fish restaurant in Covent Garden instead. A spokesman for The Ivy told the London Evening Standard: "There is a six-month waiting list for a table here - though we do keep three tables for regulars to book at short notice, and for when celebrities are in town and book very late. "In this instance, Damon was turned away with his friends and tried to sweet-talk his way in. "It didn't carry any weight since we only have one table which can take nine and that was booked. "We're certainly not in the business of rearranging people in the restaurant just to accommodate a Hollywood star."

A not so good review for the new production of the Elephant Man (Billy Crudup and Rupert Graves, who fares better) by the AP here: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=821&ncid=821&e=3&u=/ap/20020415/ap_en_re/theater_the_elephant_man_5

And a wonderful one by Variety, praising Crudup's luminious performance: http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=852&ncid=770&e=1&u=/variety/20020416/review_variety/review_stage_elephant_dc_1 Go figure...

Thanks Karen. Sounds like one reviewer likes the play to be less "chic, clinical and chilly" and the other admires it for being so. Glad I skipped this one for May.

A very good EM review from the NY Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2002/04/15/arts/theater/15ELEP.html

Did anyone catch Almost Strangers on BBC America on Saturday night. A really good show. Toby Stephens, Claire Skinner, and I want to say David McFayden? Michael Gambon plays the dad, and they're invited a to a family reunion where most of the families don't really know each other anymore. I don't know if it's a regular series or if it was just a movie, but it was really good. Catch it if you can.

The "mature" version of Dangerous Liaisons had its day at the TV market yesterday at Cannes, so there are lots of press snippets about it. This one from THR seemed the most comprehensive: For a moment Tuesday, MIP-TV looked more like the Festival de Cannes, with the stars and paparazzi out in force on La Croisette for the official launch of French TV superproduction "Dangerous Liaisons," an adaptation of the 18th century novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos. The miniseries recently started shooting under the banner of French production company JLA Production, English production house Future Films and Remstar from Canada, with JLA covering 60% of the production costs and the other two companies splitting the remainder. The remake, reset in the 1960s, is being shot in parallel in French and English versions, as all the cast members except Leelee Sobieski are bilingual. It will be broadcast in France by the commercial network TF1, whose distribution arm TF1 International will handle distribution in Latin America and Eastern Europe (including Russia). French group AB International Distribution will handle the rest of the world, aside from North America, which JLA wants to sell directly. Remstar and Future Films will distribute in their own countries. Catherine Deneuve, in her first television role, joined fellow thesps Rupert Everett, Nastassja Kinski and Sobieski at the "Liaisons" junket. Adapted by Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt, the classic will be shot in three 90-minute episodes for the French version and two 100-minute episodes for the English one. Locations include Cannes, Paris, Scotland, Montreal and New York. Asked why she had refused television roles until now, Deneuve said she never had a problem with the medium but that no proposition had interested her sufficiently. "I am not interested in doing a remake of the excellent period productions we already have," Deneuve said. "But the fact that the story line has been moved to a different era makes it a challenge."

"But the fact that the story line has been moved to a different era makes it a challenge." Mais cherie, verr ave u been? It's been done. The "mature" version Zat must be ze attraction. ;-) As I've said before, these people lack original ideas.

Asked why she had refused television roles until now I seem to recall seeing TV commercials with Deneuve when I was a kid. Guess they don't count. ;-)

The "mature" version (Moon)Zat must be ze attraction. ;-) For the Modern Maturity channel. IMO this older gang suits RE more than the young lover in TIOBE.

From Screendaily: Loopholes allowing TV productions to access UK tax relief for films are to be closed, the Government announced in its budget on Wednesday (April 17). The move is expected to stem a rash of TV projects that have accessed the UK's influential 100% tax write-offs under Section 48, leading to calls of widespread abuse. The definition of a British film is expected to be overhauled in order to rule out TV projects. "This will refocus the reliefs on the original intention of stimulating the production of films in the UK and to promote growth, employment, investment and opportunities in the British film industry," said Chancellor Gordon Brown. The decision creates a major headache for producers as the move is effective 17 April 2002. The fate of large-scale projects such as Dinotopia, which is still in production, is unclear. While many local TV series such as Changing Rooms are to be ruled out, UK support body the Film Council is expected to look at whether the regulation changes can find a middle ground to encompass such high-end drama productions as Band Of Brothers. The epic World War 2 drama series gave local crews and facilities a massive boost by shooting in the UK. But the move will be welcomed by many in the film sector who feared that the level of TV productions claiming relief might have caused the Treasury to crack down on the tax breaks as a whole. "The brutal truth is this was a necessary measure to keep Government support intact for British cinema production," said John Woodward, head of the Film Council. "In reality, what the Chancellor has done is pull the tax break back into line with his original intention."

While many local TV series such as Changing Rooms are to be ruled out, I like this show. It's the only thing I watch regularly on BBC America. (I admit I don't get the gist of the article) Speak plainly my Lord Chancellor!

For Mark, a major fan of v. tall, light-haired, interchangeable actresses: ;-D IGN FilmForce's source close to the production of The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen has advised us of who the favored contender is for the comic book adaptation's sole female lead, ex-Dracula love interest Mina (Murray) Harker. Our source told us that British actress Saffron Burrows (Deep Blue Sea) has auditioned for the part and is being actively considered for it. They were quick to point out, however, that no deal has been offered to her yet. She is just the actress that the filmmakers seem most keen on now. In The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Queen Victoria assembles a team of literature's greatest adventure heroes (including Allan Quatermain, Captain Nemo, Dr. Jekyll, The Invisible Man, and Mina Harker) to thwart an evil madman. Mina Harker was most recently portrayed onscreen by Winona Ryder in Bram Stoker's Dracula and by Amy Yasbeck in the Mel Brooks-directed vampire spoof, Dracula: Dead and Loving It. Saffron Burrows has appeared in Timecode, Circle of Friends, Gangster No. 1, The Loss of Sexual Innocence , Wing Commander, and The Matchmaker. Her upcoming films include Enigma and Frida. Our Extraordinary source then advised us that David Thewlis is no longer in the running for the role of Dr. Jekyll. We did learn, however, that Jekyll's alter ego, Mr. Hyde, will be created using a "hybrid" of CGI and traditional make-up effects. We were also informed that Robbie Coltrane (From Hell, the Harry Potter franchise) is being thought of for an unspecified role while "lots of Hollywood stars" are being considered to play Captain Nemo. Sean Connery is the only signed member of the Extraordinary cast so far. Filming begins this summer in Europe with Stephen Norrington directing.

while "lots of Hollywood stars" are being considered to play Captain Nemo Johnny Depp will probably land something.

"while "lots of Hollywood stars" are being considered to play Captain Nemo (Moon)Johnny Depp will probably land something. LOL. Saw a pic of Johnny Depp (whose partner has recently had a second baby) with write-up that suddenly he's working back to back... Caption: "Will work for Diapers"

Le Gnat's appearance on Inside the Actor's Studio is scheduled for May 12 at 8:00 and 11:30pm on Bravo. That's coincidentally a few days before AAB opens in the US.

For Mark, a major fan of v. tall, light-haired, interchangeable actresses: ;-D Oh, cruel, cruel, but deserved! And I was only joking about Heather really... And I don't like Saffron Burrows at all, though Enigma was great. Restraining myself from making any cracks about tall, dark interchangeable English actors (as might get included).... ;-D

Did anyone see Andrew Davies get his Fellowship from BAFTA? Did they show a clip of P&P?

CHICAGO will be released on Chrismas day 2002.$45.mil Looks like it's Miramax's big holiday film (I thought it was Gangs of NY).Also on with RZ, Catherine Zeta Jones...there's Richard Gere and Dominic West! ~~~~~~~~~~~` I see The Way we Live Now Won a BAFTA, but David Suchet didn't.Last Episode tonight.(Hey, Dave didn't you know it's Michael Gambon's turn;-D , next year Robbi Coltrane gets it.) Are the TV awards ,unlike the film awards, only for British Television? If not..where was Damian Lewis and Band of Brothers..not even nominated. *Huff* Rest of winners: http://www.bafta.org/4_tele/4_WINNERS.htm

Rebecca, yes they showed clips from lots of Andres Davies' work, for P+P they showed the scene at the inn where Lizzie has just received the letter from Jane. Evelyn, yes British TV only, don't know how the rules about co-productions work or the cut off dates for nominations

(Evelyn) If not..where was Damian Lewis and Band of Brothers..not even nominated. Was not British television program, right? ;-D

No nomination for Armadillo? Which has yet to reach our shores, BTW.

Here's the Cannes 2002 lineup: Opening Film Hollywood Ending Dir: Woody Allen Closing Film And Now...Ladies And Gentlemen Dir: Claude Lelouch Competition Punch Drunk Love Dir: Paul Thomas Anderson The Hour Of Religion Dir: Marco Bellocchio Spider Dir: David Cronenberg Le Fils Dir: Jean-Luc and Pierre Dardenne Kedma Dir: Amos Gitai Stroke Of Fire Dir: Im Kwon Taek Unknown Pleasures Dir: Jia Zhang-ke The Man Without A Past Dir: Aki Kaurismaki 10 Dir: Abbas Kiarostami All Or Nothing Dir: Mike Leigh Sweet Sixteen Dir: Ken Loach The Uncertainty Principle Dir: Manoel De Oliveira The Pianist Dir: Roman Polanski The Russian Ark Dir: Alexander Sokurov Intervention Divine Dir: Elia Suleiman 24 Hour Party People Dir: Michael Winterbottom Demonlover Dir: Olivier Assayas L�Adversaire Dir: Nicole Garcia Marie Jo Et Ses Deux Amours Dir: Robert Guediguian Irreversible Dir: Gaspard Noe Out of competition Spirit (animation) Dir: Kelly Asbury & Lorna Cook Devras Dir: Sanjay Leela Bhansali Ararat Dir: Atom Egoyan City Of God Dir: Fernando Mereilles Murder By Numbers Dir: Barbet Schroeder Special Screenings The Other Side Dir: Chantal Ackerman Searching For Debra Winger Dir: Rosanna Arquette Carlo Guiliani, Ragazzo Dir: Francesca Comencini The Kid Stays In The Picture Dirs: Brett Morgan & Nanette Burstein Kazami No Onnatachi Dir: Kiju Yoshida La Derniere Lettre Dir: Frederic Weismann Un Certain Regard Madame Sata Dir: Karim Ainouz Rachida Dir: Yamina Bashir Cry Woman (Kuqi De Nuren) Dir: Liu Bingjian (China) Double Vision Dir: Chen Kuo Fu (China-HK) Confession (Itiraf) Dir: Ziki Demirkubuz Balzac Et La Petite Tailleuse Chinoise Dir: Dai Sijie (Fr-China) Les Chansons Du Pays De Ma Mere Dir: Bahman Ghobadi (Iran) Tomorrow La Scala Dir: Francesca Joseph (UK) Une Part Du Ciel Dir: Benedicte Lienard (Bel) Sacrifices Dir: Osama Mouhamad (Syria) Bemani Dir: Dariush Mehrjui Terra Incognito Dir: Ghassan Salhab (Lebanon) Waiting For Happiness (Heremakono) Dir: Abderrahmane Sissako (Mauritania) Long Way Home Peter Sollet (US) El Bonaerense Dir: Pablo Trapero The Angel Of The Right Shoulder Dir: Djamshed Ousmanov (Tadjikistan) Blissfully Yours Dir: Apichapong Weerasethakul (Thailand) Ten Minutes Older - The Trumpet Dirs: ensemble piece Carnages Dir: Delphine Gleize (Fr) Dix-Sept Fois Cecile Cassard Dir: Christophe Honore (Fr) La Chatta A Deux Tetes Dir: Jacques Nolot (Fr) Cannes� selectors this year have opted for absolute simplicity: main competition is the home of the established names of the art-house, while Un Certain Regard gives room for experimentation, new directors and little seen schools of film-making. Rather than follow the example of Venice last year and launch two largely indistinguishable competitions of supposedly equal merit, they sought established talent and known quality for the competition showcase. Gilles Jacob, Thierry Fremaux and their teams are understood to have seen over 1,200 features, an increase of 25%, in order to arrive at their eventual shortlist of 22 competition titles. The competition features previous competition winners Mike Leigh, the Dardenne brothers and Abbas Kiarostami. Previous competitors include Olivier Assayas, Michael Winterbottom, Manoel De Oliveira, Alexander Sokurov, Roman Polanski, Ken Loach, Aki Kaurismaki, Im Kwon Taek, Amos Gitai, David Cronenberg and Marco Bellocchio. The one female director, Nicole Garcia, had previously competed in the short film section. Earlier press commentary has made much of the numerous British films in official selection - four, including Francesca Joseph�s Tomorrow La Scala in Un Certain Regard - after a period of drought. But the nearest to a new UK discovery, Lynne Ramsay with Morvern Callar, will now appear in Directors Fortnight (La Quinzaine Des Realisateurs). Un Certain Regard, on the other hand, reflects a geographical renewal. It is dominated by films from the Mediterranean and Middle East (Algeria, Lebanon, Israel, Syria, Turkey) and includes seven first features. As expected there were fewer Asian films than last year, and no Japanese at all after the four of 2001. This may reflect a timing issue in the Asian production cycle. But there is room for only the second ever Korean film in competition Im Kwon-taek�s Stroke Of Fire. The most controversial element is likely to be Gaspar Noe�s sexually explicit Irreversible. There was no room for some of the widely expected titles including Neil Jordan�s Double Down, Tonie Marshall�s Au Plus Pres De Paradis, Arturo Ripstein�s Caf� Cortado, Thomas Vinterberg�s Its All About Love, Hong Sang-soo�s Turning Gate and Prince Chatri Chalerm�s Suriyothai.

Searching For Debra Winger Dir: Rosanna Arquette Film audition for VHI? ;-) The Angel Of The Right Shoulder Dir: Djamshed Ousmanov (Tadjikistan) Interesting. The Hour Of Religion Dir: Marco Bellocchio This is supposed to be very good. Thanks, Karen! Any word on who will be there?

I was going to post this on #155 due but thought it might cause too many heart attacks (try to avoid reading the reference 2/3 way through article :-( http://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/0,,581-277850,00.html

You mean this, Allison: The kindest thing to say is that, where Hornby material is concerned, Grant doesn�t muck it up as badly as Colin Firth did in Fever Pitch (on the other hand, John Cusack in High Fidelity runs rings around him). That review comes as no surprise to me since the only NH book I remotely enjoyed was HF. Nick does write better than a lot of them out there, but that is no consolation.

*exhales huge breath* Now, now. Let's consider the source. In case no one remembers, this woman is a Huge fan. (You can see from this AAB review that she thinks highly of him, except not in this role). All you have to do is read her review of BJD. She mentioned HG 7 times (vs. 4 for CF) and referred to CF as crashingly dull and to Huge as the dashing bounder. I'm sure if we look, we'll find she's the president of the Gnat's fan club. ;-D

Thanks Allison, I do hear that the Daily Mail gave the film and HG a terrific review. I was going to post this on #155 due but thought it might cause too many heart attacks LOL. You won't give me a heart attack, I am not a fan of NH or FP. However, I do think Colin did a good job of portraying Paul Ashworth , a slob-like character, IMO and is being tainted with the role.And don't get me started on Ruth Gemell...

(Allison)As FP is one of my favorite CF films- I did feel some pain down my left arm. But,as Karen said, consider the source. I feel I have been on a roller coaster all week with all the articles, reviews, etc.

(lindak) As FP is one of my favorite CF films It's one of mine, too. And I'm not feeling any pain as am too busy thumbing my nose and blowing a big bronx cheer at this writer, who nevertheless is entitled to her opinion however narrow-minded it may be. ;-)

My computer recently crashed and I lost the pride and joy of my exhistance...namely my Darcy "The Look" screen saver. I downloaded this thing over 2 years ago and now I need to re-download it. Unfortunatley, as it has been 2 years since I first found it, I have absolutley no idea where I found the Pride and Predudice screen savers in the first place. Can anyone help me out with a website address ? It was an AWESOME screensaver...a shot of Darcy from mid-chest up, gazing longingly at Lizzie as she played the piano at Pemberley. Karen, hope its ok to ask my question here. I haven't been a contributor to Drool for several months ( due to my boss now monitoring the internet usage of his employees ) but I have been a frequent reader of all threads and topics. So I hope you don't think me too impertinent to post my plea for help, after what appears to be an absence of several months.

Bethanne, tell that boss of yours to not be so, um, bossy.;-) I'm sure someone here will have what you're looking for. There's another bad About A Boy review in The Independent that also takes a swipe at FP; thankfully, they didn't name names.;-) Telegraph review is poor as well. Am surprised, thought this one was a Huge slam dunk.

I agre Mari, unfortunatley he signs my pay checks. So far I have been able to find several P&P sites where I can download pix from the TV series, but none as screen savers....boo hiss

Beth This might have what you're looking for: http://www.angelfire.com/film/susansite/

There's another bad About A Boy review in The Independent that also takes a swipe at FP; thankfully, they didn't name names.;-) Telegraph review is poor as well. Am surprised, thought this one was a Huge slam dunk. The Review in the Telegraph (which has carried a lot of promo for AOB) was absolutely dreadful. As bad as the Times, which only gave AOB 1 star (out of 5). The Guardian is very luke warm, ditto the Independent. The pre-release stuff was all favourable, but that was probably good PR with the entertainment mags. I think the tabloids have been kind, but the the quality press cater for the NH heartland. On the basis of these reviews, AOB could be in trouble. It also has competition from "Bend it like Beckham" (well received Brit comedy) which is still going very strongand got uniformly good reviews. Interesting!

No, of course, I don't mind, Beth. I doubt the AAB reviews will affect its overall popularity in the US. It seems to be a given that the UK critics savage nearly all films, especially of the home-grown variety that attempt to be mainstream. (See UK reviews of BJD on the Bucket. Most fell into my "Fuckwittage" category.) And none of this would affect IMO affect future casting decisions re BJD. About the FP swipes, we have to remember that adapting Nick's nonfiction book into a traditional rom-com would be viewed as a sellout and would disappoint many people. Don't some of you remember the clips from the UK movie review shows and the complaining about how they ruined the book? Unfortunately, they've laid the blame on Colin, when it should be directed to the makers of the film.

Unfortunately, they've laid the blame on Colin, when it should be directed to the makers of the film. He read the script and agreed to do it as it was. Some actors stress that things be changed during the filming if they feel it would enhance the film. I thought John C did a better job with HF.

There wasn't anything the matter with the FP script as far as rom-coms are concerned. The fact that it wasn't an indepth look at a football fan's life is the fault of the filmmakers. They were criticizing the film for what it was not - not the performances. (Moon) I thought John C did a better job with HF. That's because HF was (1) fiction, (2) they adhered fairly closely to the book and (3) NH didn't do the adaptation.

(Karen) It seems to be a given that the UK critics savage nearly all films, especially of the home-grown variety that attempt to be mainstream. How true. Pure carnage, and they do it with such glee.They're repulsive. (Karen)Unfortunately, they've laid the blame on Colin, when it should be directed to the makers of the film. (Moon)He read the script and agreed to do it as it was. Some actors stress that things be changed during the filming if they feel it would enhance the film. That was his first starring film since THOTP; I doubt he had the leverage and experience to change the script. Besides, IMO he was eager to select *any* film that wasn't in the Darcy mode in order to disarm the aura. His performance was OK, it was just the ridiculous character. (Karen)There wasn't anything the matter with the FP script as far as rom-coms are concerned I don't want to turn this into another FP discussion ( we've done it before ;-), but I didn't like NH's script and agreed with the television reviewers that the whole "rom" part was so contrived as to make it almost comedic; just stuck in there in order to being in the chicks.Years later, I learned it did not do well at the box office either. Bring on Joe Prince!!

(Evelyn) Bring on Joe Prince!! *cough cough* blech BTW, most rom coms are usually contrived, that's why it was fairly normal IMO.

It seems to be a given that the UK critics savage nearly all films, especially of the home-grown variety that attempt to be mainstream. Which is why UK film-makers prefer to open in the US first, if possible. Years later, I learned it did not do well at the box office either FP did much better in video rentals. I suspect that a lot of CF/Darcy fans weren't very comfortable about going to see a "soccer" movie (and we're not the greatest movie goers anyway - although this may be changing!) and waited for the video.

(Bethan) FP did much better in video rentals. No thanks to the graphics! :-) That certainly did not attract the Darcy fans.

But they had a nonoffensive vid cover in the UK and other places. It was only in the US that some hormonally imbalanced boy decided the cover needed to be more relevant to sports fans. ;-D

(Evelyn) it was just the ridiculous character. Humph. On behalf of sports fans everywhere, am highly insulted. ;-) ;-) ;-) (Karen) decided the cover needed to be more relevant to sports fans. ;-D Humph. You left out the word 'male' before 'sports fans'. ;-) ;-) ;-)

(Evelyn) it was just the ridiculous character. (Eileen)Humph. On behalf of sports fans everywhere, am highly insulted. ;-) ;-) ;-) AAA

(Eileen) You left out the word 'male' before 'sports fans'. Mea culpa. Figured it was understood. If it was directed at female sports fans, it would've had the figures reversed, so we would see CF. Everyone knows women get interested in organized sports for the cute athletes. Go QBs everywhere. ;-D

(Evelyn) AAA (Karen) Mea culpa What, I didn't put enough winkies? ;-P (Karen) Everyone knows women get interested in organized sports for the cute athletes. ;-D Not all of us...but it helps. ;-)

MOVIELINE mag May issue has a segment "London Calling" that has a long article on the two British imports this month: About A Boy and Enigma.Both got rave reviews. I posted excerpts of the Enigma review on the JN topic. I won't ruin your day by typing up the whole AAB review. *winkie* "...captivation film,;superlative writing and acting make it[AAB] soar" Or what he says about HG.... But despite the crappy reviews from the UK broadsheets, there are good ones out there.

I saw a small segment of AAB on the television last night and I have to say it left me cold. As my husband said "that's one to miss". To English ears HG does not fit the New Man, north London type that NH writes about. He sounded all wrong with his attempt at a proletarian tone to his voice; it just didn't gell IMHO. And as for the storeyline... Perhaps I am not the films target audience;-)

Much as I hate to say it, the "mixed" reviews from the UK won't mean anything in the US. We've ignored them before and will do so again. ;-D What will inevitably come up is Hugh's growth as an actor. Our critics will admire that he's gotten away from the cute, floppy-haired puppy dog roles. They won't have a clue as to whether he perfectly fits the North London New Man type. About the only comparison they will make is with John Cusack in High Fidelity.

My younger son went to see AAB yesterday. He has (I think) surprisingly sound judgement for someone his age. He said that AAB was okay-ish, but in no way as good as the book.

Thought you'd all enjoy this: A hot summer boxoffice season appears under way, as new, audience-friendly product is reaching the overseas market at an earlier stage than usual. "About a Boy," the Hugh Grant comedy-drama from Universal and Working Title, joined early birds "The Scorpion King," "Panic Room" and "Ice Age" as a strong international contender by kicking off at No. 1 in the United Kingdom with a mighty $5.5 million (with previews) from 446 screens. It is hailed as the biggest opening for a British film this year. Overseas distributor United International Pictures is releasing "Boy" in a pattern similar to that of last year's "Bridget Jones' Diary," which picked up $60.3 million in a long U.K. run and hit the rest of the world during June, July and August.

Guardian Film reports that AAB opened with �3.7million, the third biggest opener this year, behind Monsters Inc and Oceans Eleven. It's pretty good, I must admit :-( (although lags behind BJD which opened with nearly �6million on fewer screens!) But Huge has another major success on his hands and can call all the shots. Guardian Film also reports that RZ is starting filming a romantic comedy in May, with Ewan McGregor. Natasha Richardson (Dora?)is also filming in May, with Ralph Fiennes.

IMO AAB succeeding in the US bodes well for all Britsh films. There's room for both he and CF. HG has been around a long time with a string of hits. It's not as if they are competing for the same roles.They have different styles of acting.

Colin's not suitable for this, but I thought I'd post it anyway: Brit's a Fit for 'Stage' NEW YORK (Variety) - British director Richard Eyre ("Iris") is attached to take the helm of "Compleat Female Stage Beauty," a comedic drama set in 17th century England. Based on playwright Jeffrey Hatcher's work of the same title, the Artisan Pictures project tells the story of a leading stage actor who is playing women's roles in 1661 England. When the king declares it illegal for men to act in women's roles, the great thesp finds himself downsized. Robert De Niro's Tribeca Films will produce the film with Artisan. "It is incredibly gratifying to marry the right material with the right director," said Rachel Cohen, Artisan's senior VP of acquisitions and production. "In this case, we have a complex script that is funny, tragic and sexy, and we are pleased that Richard will bring his immense artistic abilities to our film." "Iris" garnered a supporting actor Oscar for Jim Broadbent and nominations for Judi Dench and Kate Winslet for actress and supporting actress, respectively. As director of the Royal National Theater in London, Eyre directed 27 productions, including "Guys and Dolls," Christopher Hampton's "White Chameleon" and Tennessee Williams' "The Night of the Iguana." He recently helmed the Broadway revival of Arthur Miller's "The Crucible."

"He [Richard Eyre]recently helmed the Broadway revival of Arthur Miller's "The Crucible." Which has been nominated for Drama Desk Best Revival of a Play as well as Liam Neeson as Best Actor in a Revival. Wonder how enchanted RE is with CF since he bolted from Sue Birtwistle's Armadillo?

How do we know he bolted? He was too old for that part IMO anyway.

A&E verified that Colin was in the cast. (Allison)He was too old for that part IMO anyway. Think so?Maybe now...but two years ago we didn't think so. We have yet to see it. BTW I did like James Frain as Edmund in King Lear. Good stage presence, and he did project clearly the night we saw him.

I did like James Frain as Edmund in King Lear. I am glad he was okay when you saw him. He was obviously having a bad attack of the mumbles on the night we went;-)

(Evelyn) A&E verified that Colin was in the cast. If memory serves, they didn't. I think the term used was that he was 'involved' in the project and/or something else to do with writing. I recall expecting imminent further confirmation that he was to star. Next thing we knew, James Frain was attached.

Next thing? Yeah, after about six months. *winkie winkie* and another *winkie* for good measure.

*winkie right back atcha* Oh yes, the saga dragged on and on. No matter, is H2O under the bridge, as they say. At least the book was a good read. ;-)

watched Fever Pitch for the first time last night (yes, i know. i'm a couple of years behind everyone else...) THOSE CURLS! LOL!

NO, you are not a few years behind everyone else-at least not too far behind me.I saw FP for the first time in Feb. It has become one of my favorite CF films. I just ordered the screenplay from a woman in the UK. I didn't even see BJD until January-I can't bear to think that I missed that one on the big screen.

I saw About a Boy tonight and it is seriously funny. Hugh is quite good and he only did one trademark "embarrassed" bit. But the audience really enjoyed this one. I overheard this woman next to me say it was "great." Men were laughing loudly. It's done in a mainstream comedy fashion unlike High Fidelity. Where you had Cusack talking to the audience, here you have Hugh doing voiceovers of his actual thoughts and they are a riot. The directors were there and took Q&A afterward. When they introduced the film, they welcomed us to the "directors' cut" and commended us for coming to see the 5-1/2 hour version. That set the tone. These guys were a riot and said some rather funny but slamming things against various filmmaking entities (here and there). Oh yes, the kid who played Marcus looked like he should be Leonard Nimoy's son. It's going to do extremely well here. No one is going to make a big deal about whether HG's doing a north London accent or not. They are going to think he's brilliant and perfect for the part.

AAB will do very well world-wide, there's no doubt. Hugh's new bad-guy sexy single image is also working well for him...Heat magazine carries an interview in which he talks about his split with Liz, Divine B. and who he finds sexy . CF can't compete! My main concern is that this will impact on TEOR, if/when it goes ahead. Huge has terrific clout. And he's clever. He described the original screenplay for BJD as "crap" (Andrew Davies must love him!) and said that Richard Curtis worked wonders on it (to his benefit)...he also counted the one liners to see who had the most funny lines. TEOR allows Mark Darcy to evolve into a much more lively character with a sharp sense of humour. I can't see Huge accepting the AD script if Darcy dominates or allowing Darcy to be anything other than stuffy.And I think he now has the power to demand and get exactly what he wants...which won't be TEOR as we know it. :-( I may be wrong. :-) Sharon Maguire's "Eustace Diamonds" has an excellent and sympathetic lead role in the barrister Frank Greystock. But, who knows?...

I meant to comment on this last night: (Bethan) My younger son went to see AAB yesterday. He has (I think) surprisingly sound judgement for someone his age. He said that AAB was okay-ish, but in no way as good as the book. This movie is so, not aimed at the usual demographic (boys 14-25 or whatever it is exactly). This is a movie for adults, I'd say 30-something and older, to truly appreciate. Moreover, it surpasses anything Richard Curtis does. There's no potty humor or lines that make you want to cringe. In fact, there's not a bad line in whole movie. Yes, they've made lots of changes from the book (details on that are vague now) and most people won't notice or care. As far as Hugh's influence on the course of TEOR, I'm not losing sleep over it.

Sounds like Hugh and Richard Curtis have grown up on AAB. There's a fabulous review on "The Trades:" http://www.the-trades.com/column.php?columnid=1110 "To be completely honest, Grant may have the best performance of his career in ?Boy.? He conveys smart, classy, lazy, and sleazy without ever losing the character. Grant is amazing because he is able to juggle the dramatic and the comedic with ease. While he performed much of the same in ?Notting Hill,? Grant steps beyond that role by freeing himself of his puppy-dog image. He doesn?t whimper or puddle-hop. Grant grabs the story by the balls, because that is what Will needs. Grant wins over EVERY scene he is in." Maybe I'll go see it; had planned to wait til it came on the telly;-)

As far as Hugh's influence on the course of TEOR, I'm not losing sleep over it. Why not? Don't you care? Or do you have a large supply of temazepam? ;-)

by freeing himself of his puppy-dog image. The Weitzes said they wouldn't allow Hugh to fall back on his safety net (floppy hair) but said he had such an understanding of the character that they didn't need to give him much direction. They considered him perfect for the role. Initially, I had thought about raising my hand and asking why they didn't cast Colin in the role, but it seemed rather ridiculous considering all the praise Hugh was getting. (Allison) Why not? Don't you care? Or do you have a large supply of temazepam? ;-) Well, as a matter of fact temazepam doesn't work for me, but... ;-D I put this in the Doris Day "Que Sera Sera" category.

While he performed much of the same in Notting Hill,?Grant steps beyond that role by freeing himself of his puppy-dog image From the clips I've seen, he's still a variation on North London middle class Hugh Grant. When he convinces as Shylock or Quasimodo, then I'll start applauding! ;-) But I'm not very objective about Huge at the moment.. ;-)

(Bethan) When he convinces as Shylock or Quasimodo, then I'll start applauding! ;-) Are we not setting the bar a little high? Remind me again when Colin played such roles in recent memory? ;-)))

But I'm not very objective about Huge at the moment.. ;-) LOL or ever;-) Hugh is not a dramatic actor, he never purports to be. He's got a niche (smart man!).In this film apparently he's successfully stretching it. Me thinks he's more popular in the US than in the UK.

Me thinks he's more popular in the US than in the UK. That is the truth! Wasn't there a poll in the Daily Mirror of all places in which readers were asked whom they preferred HG or CF and it was something like CF 78% HG the rest? We may not be a literate race but we definitely have good taste in men ;-)

We may not be a literate race but we definitely have good taste in men ;-) LOL! God one, Allison, and just think, Colin helped it along. ;-)

On reflection, I think I'll just be happy if we have a BJD2, even if it's not TEOR, even if Daniel gets the gal! So many projects seem to bite the dust. If the Huge connection gets the sequel off the ground/opens up the market, all to the good!

even if Daniel gets the gal! bite your tongue! :-) *shudder* okay, i can see him coming back to make a play for her again. Afterall, she turned HIM down after the fight scene. Not something he's going to get over very easily. (he thinks he's better than she is -or at least higher up on that stupid proveribal male ladder) But it would have to be his trying to woo her away from MD -like some sort of compition. So you're right. It would be BJD2 not TEOR. oh well.

Seems like BJD The Sequel is on...see my posting at #149.

Now, here's a Hamlet I wouldn't mind seeing: Christopher Eccleston is to play Hamlet at the West Yorkshire Playhouse this autumn. The TV and film star last appeared on stage two years ago in Miss Julie in the West End. The production of Hamlet opens in Leeds on October 25. It will be directed by Ian Brown, associate artistic director of the West Yorkshire Playhouse.

RZ was on the Today Show this morning. She'll be in NY this weekend for the Revlon walk/run for breast cancer. She also mention she'll be in Chicago (I didn't catch when)to film a musical based on Chicago. Karen, maybe you'll be able to ask Ms. Jones directly about TEoR. Did the DM article say that RZ's body double was asked to do it again IF she signs or because she did sign on to do the sequel?

RZ was also on The View. She is running tomorrow in NYC in the Revlon Walk/Run for Cancer research. She is running in honor of a dear friend who recently had breast cancer.Renee is sporting brown hair with a blond streak. She was v. earnest, not giggly as usual. and I thought her voice was not as high-pitched as during the BJD promos. The whole crowd on the View is running... Barbara Walters said she'd be in the stands!!

Wow, Bridget Jones coming to Karen's Windy City!

The movie musical "Chicago" has already been filmed (and it was done in Toronto). If RZ is coming here, maybe it's for another breast cancer event.

Karen, I'm not completely sure, but she is doing another cancer appearance in LA. I'm almost sure that she was going to Chicago for a film,because she was asked if she ever sang and danced before. This was part of the discussion on going to Chicago-I missed the "when" part.

From IndieWire: Why Studio Remakes Don't Suck; U.S. Versions Rebound Foreign Originals, From Korea to "Insomnia" With its seemingly complete absence of original ideas, it's no surprise to see Hollywood harvesting scenarios from overseas. After all, there has to come a certain point in time when they've exhausted every comic book, video game, TV show, and action movie franchise. This summer alone, reports the New York Times, at least 16 movies fall into the category of sequel, prequel, spinoff, or remake. [Ed note: Was there a mention of TIOBE?] So in their never-ending search for stories that have already proven themselves, studio execs at companies big and small are now looking to foreign hits. This month, Christopher Nolan makes his studio directing debut with a remake of 1997 Norwegian suspenser "Insomnia." Even independents got into the act: Samuel Goldwyn's English-language, Latin-accented "Tortilla Soup," a remake of Ang Lee's "Eat Drink Man Woman," grossed a formidable $4.5 million for distribution arm IDP last year. Recently, Hollywood has looked even further astray, with Korea emerging as a new hotbed of adaptable product. Last year, Miramax opened the floodgates, becoming the first company to purchase the remake rights to a Korean film: Cho Jin-kyu's "My Wife Is a Gangster," a blockbuster about a female gang boss who marries an unsuspecting man. Not to be outdone by the Weinsteins, MGM recently purchased the rights to Kwan Park's "Hi, Dharma," another hit about a group of fleeing gangsters who take refuge in a monastery; Dreamworks acquired Kwak Jae-yong's romantic comedy "My Sassy Girl," to be made by Madonna's Maverick Films; and just last month, Warner Brothers acquired the rights to Lee Hyun-seung's "Il Mare," which tells the story of a man and woman living two years apart who are able to communicate with each other through a time-defying mailbox. While American audiences may never see the originals, the remake craze is helping sustain a Korean film boon. Last year, locally produced films nabbed the top five box office spots. "With the increased interest of Hollywood studios in remaking Korean films, local production companies have discovered a potentially lucrative new source of revenue," states the Korean Film Commission's website. "It's better to be sold for a remake than not to be sold at all," says Kwang Woo Noh, who works for the Korean Film Commission. Noh feels that Korean blockbusters face a double bind: They won't reach a wide U.S. audience because of Americans' fear of subtitles, but releasing the films in arthouse theaters won't work either, because the movies are mainly big-budget popcorn fare. "These Korean films have not been circulated through the U.S. art/foreign cinema market because they are not categorized as 'art cinema'," he explains. "If you saw 'Shiri,'" he continues, referring to the 1999 action-thriller that beat out "Titanic" at the Korean box office, "you might wonder why this film was released through art cinema theaters." Distributed in the U.S. by IDP, the same company that released "Tortilla Soup," "Shiri" tanked, grossing less than a $100,000. So, how to get these stories to U.S. shores? Answer: the studio remake. Like the Korean blockbusters, high concept genre films (without U.S. distribution possibilities) appear to be the number one item on studio's shopping lists. Universal Pictures recently purchased Hideo Nakata's "Kaosu" (Chaos), which involves a kidnapping plot; and two of the Japanese horror director's other films have also been bought for remakes: "Ringu," about a videotape which leads to serial deaths, has been revamped by Gore Verbinksi ("The Mexican"), starring Naomi Watts, and another is in the works for "Dark Water," the director's latest about a woman who moves into a haunted apartment with her six-year-old daughter. Also in the works is an English version of Hong Kong action guru Johnny To's "The Mission," to be written by Christopher McQuarrie ("The Usual Suspects"). But what about those foreign movies that have already distinguished themselves on American soil? French-language action film "La Femme Nikita" broke $5 million in 1991 for Samuel Goldwyn, while the Bridget Fonda remake "Point of No Return" came and went with a modest $30 million for Warner Bros. Meyer Gottlieb, President of Samuel Goldwyn Films, which also released the original "Three Men and a Cradle" (remade as "Three Men a Baby"), says that awareness for the foreign originals increases after a studio remake. "The ancillary values absolutely increase," he explains. "It increases the value of the film and expands its financial life, especially now with video and DVDs." "I definitely think remakes help the originals," agrees Gary Springer, who represents Norsk Film, the company that sold the Norwegian film "Insomnia" to U.S. indie distributor First Run Features, and then handled the Warner Brothers deal to remake the picture. Springer quotes a recent item in industry magazine, Showbiz Weekly, which read, "If you have yet to see the original 'Insomnia,' rent it before the remake comes out; it's worth your time." Just look at the reviews of just about any English-language remake and you'll see the foreign originals held up as high markers of cinematic excellence when compared with their inferior American counterparts. Variety's review of 1993's "The Vanishing," a Hollywood redo of the 1988 Dutch film, claims, "This is one remake that sacrifices much of what made the original work so well." Springer adds, "On the credits of the new movie, I think it even says, 'based on the screenplay 'Insomnia' from Nikolaj Frobenius and Erik Skjoldbjaerg'; that alone gets the awareness out there." Springer also notes the original is getting renewed life on cable: the Independent Film Channel has scheduled broadcasts of the film all this month. Even distributor First Run was contemplating bringing the original back to theaters for a limited run, according to Springer. So when Akira Kurosawa's classic "The Seven Samurai" is remade yet again by MGM and Miramax, when Britain's Film Four transplants Lukas Moodysson's 2000 Swedish hit "Together" to the United States, when Dreamworks gets around to producing an English version of Francis Veber's French comedy "Le Diner de Cons" (currently titled "Dinner for Schmucks") or when Buena Vista overhauls Juan Carlos Fresnadillo's upcoming Spanish-language thriller "Intacto," it can only help the originals breathe new life. Who cares if the studio remakes suck? It should only give us more reason to seek out the pictures they were inspired by in the first place.